Preventative Dentistry

Preventative dentistry relies on good oral hygiene and regular dental care and is important throughout your life, whatever your age. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and visiting the doctor regularly, you can help prevent dental problems and save time and money. In the process, you can save your teeth and gums and feel better for a lifetime.

Fighting Plaque

By fighting plaque you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. Today, in fact, older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer because of scientific developments and an emphasis on preventative dentistry.

Good oral hygiene requires an understanding of plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless layer of bacteria. When you eat carbohydrates (foods made of sugar or starch) you feed this plaque, which in turn produces acids that attack tooth enamel, cause cavities, and develop a hard substance called calculus (tartar). Uninterrupted, the acid attacks can result in tooth decay and gum disease (also known as periodontal disease). If left untreated, gum disease can cause loss of teeth and bone.

At any age, you can begin the fight with plaque and keep your teeth and gums healthy. It's really quite easy. Simply:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. While you're at it, brush the top surface of your tongue to eliminate bad breath and bacteria buildup.
2. Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay-causing bacteria can linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
3. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. If a snack is needed, nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit should be chosen. Keep your exposure to sugar and refined carbohydrates limited in both quantity and frequency.
4. Schedule regular check-ups. Visit the doctor regularly (every six months) for professional cleanings and oral exams.
5. Ask Dr. Barnes about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
6. Wear mouth protection such as a mouthguard when you play contact sports or extreme sports.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay (cavities or caries) can develop on any surface of any tooth. Because cavities grow, they are much easier and less expensive to treat when they are small. A decaying tooth may not hurt, so you may have a cavity and not realize it. Dr. Barnes checks for tooth decay at your regular check-ups and will periodically use x-rays to check for decay between teeth. We treat tooth decay by cleaning out the cavity and placing a restoration (filling) in the tooth. By following the strategies listed above, you can prevent tooth decay.

Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. At each regular checkup the dentist will measure the depth of the shallow v-shaped crevice (called a sulcus) between your tooth and gums to identify whether you have gum disease.

Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums.

Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket; generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.

Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis.

In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.

In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out, or have to be removed by a dentist.

Some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:

1. Tobacco smoking or chewing
2. System-wide diseases such as diabetes
3. Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives
4. Bridges that no longer fit properly
5. Crooked teeth
6. Fillings that have become defective
7. Pregnancy

If you notice any of the following signs of gum disease, see the doctor immediately:

1. Gums that bleed easily
2. Red, swollen and tender gums
3. Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
4. Persistent bad breath or bad taste
5. Pus between your teeth and gums
6. Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
7. Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
8. Any change in the fit of partial dentures

It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs.

That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed.

Good oral hygiene at home is essential to keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don't have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

• Normal, healthy gums: Healthy gums and bone anchor teeth firmly in place.
• Gingivitis: Gums are red, swollen and bleed easily.
• Periodontitis: Unremoved plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As plaque and calculus continue to build up, the gums begin to recede (pull away) from the teeth, and pockets form between the teeth and gums.
• Advanced periodontitis: The gums recede farther, destroying more bone and the periodontal ligament. Teeth — even healthy teeth — may become loose and need to be extracted.

The good news is that you can help prevent gum disease by taking good care of your teeth every day and having regular dental checkups.

How to Brush Your Teeth

1. Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
2. Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
3. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
4. Use the tip top of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
5. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

You should replace your toothbrush every three or four months — or sooner if the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush will not do a good job of cleaning your teeth. Children's toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently than adults because they can wear out sooner.

How to Floss Your Teeth

1. Break off about eighteen inches of floss and wind a loop of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind another loop around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes used. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
2. Use your thumbs and forefingers held about 1 inch apart to guide the floss between your teeth. Move the floss toward the gum in a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
3. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
4. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
5. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
6. Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.

People who have difficulty handling dental floss may prefer to use a floss holder or other kind of interdental cleaner. These aids include special brushes, picks, and sticks. If you use interdental cleaners, ask the doctor about how to use them properly to avoid injuring your gums.

Back to Top